(Reuters) – Concern among the top U.S. hog-producing states over a virus that is killing millions of baby pigs has reached such an extent that officials at an industry gathering in Minnesota this week swabbed the trade floor to test for the virus. Meeting organizers in Iowa are relying on producers’ knowledge of basic biosecurity […] Read more
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U.S. hog producers take steps to guard against PEDv at winter meetings
Confection sunflowers promise profits this year
Production contracts above 30 cents per pounds should make confection sunflowers one of Manitoba’s most profitable crops this year. Confecs were priced 10 cents higher than black oil sunflowers in the third week of January, said Mike Durand, sales and purchasing manager with Nestibo Agra, a sunflower processor in Deloraine, Man. Old crop confectionary sunflowers […] Read more
Yellowstone managers reject vaccinating bison with biobullets
(Reuters) – Yellowstone National Park managers have rejected a plan to use air rifles to shoot America’s last herd of purebred bison with so-called biobullets containing a vaccine against brucellosis, in a decision that has riled the U.S. livestock industry. Roughly half of Yellowstone’s 4,600 bison are estimated to have been exposed to brucellosis, a […] Read more
Canada’s Saputo wins majority control of Australia’s Warrnambool
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Canada’s Saputo Inc. said on Wednesday it has secured majority control of Australia’s Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Co. Holdings Ltd., putting pressure on rival bidder Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. to concede defeat. Saputo said it had increased its shareholding in Australia’s oldest dairy maker to 52.7 percent, giving it control after […] Read more
Live cattle futures trade mixed; hogs weaker
(Reuters) – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures traded mixed in choppy action on Wednesday morning, pressured by caution about cash prices, while persistent record-high beef prices offered support, traders said. The record-setting pace in wholesale beef values on Tuesday sent packer margins to a 30 month high. CME livestock investors are keeping tabs on […] Read more
Kubota eyes North American fields with larger tractors
OSAKA (Reuters) – Japan’s Kubota Corp. plans to sell powerful, large tractors in North America and Europe next year, its president said on Wednesday, challenging farm equipment industry leader Deere & Co. Yasuo Masumoto, president of Japan’s biggest farm equipment maker, said Kubota was seeking a joint venture with a European or U.S. company this […] Read more
Euronext rape meal, oil futures this year
PARIS (Reuters) – Euronext will this year launch futures and options for rapeseed meal and oil to offer a full suite of rapeseed derivatives to a growing market spanning food, livestock and biofuel sectors, the European exchange said on Wednesday. Euronext already offers rapeseed futures that have become its second-largest agricultural derivatives market in Paris, […] Read more
China cotton soy subsidies to reflect international prices
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will consider domestic and international prices when setting subsidies for cotton and soy farmers as it moves away from a controversial stockpiling scheme, a top official said on Wednesday. Beijing confirmed on Sunday that it would stop hoarding the two commodities from this year but has not yet given details on […] Read more
Harsh winter, Plains drought stress U.S. winter wheat crop
CHICAGO, Jan 21 (Reuters) – One of the harshest winters in years in the U.S. Plains and Midwest, coupled with severe dryness in parts of the region, has left the dormant winter wheat crop at a higher than normal risk of damage. Temperatures on Jan. 6 plummeted to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 29 Celsius) […] Read more
Industry initiative tackles grain movement challenges
Farm groups and stakeholders in the Canadian grain trade are joining forces to take a closer look at the logistical issues affecting the Canadian grain industry. Canola, wheat, pulse and soy growers, as well as industry representatives involved in the grain, oilseed, pulse and special crops trade, announced today that they will spend $3.2 million […] Read more
